Founded on the banks of the vast Tensaw River Delta, Stockton was the ideal location for a thriving sawmill and lumber business in the early 1800s. The river route between it and Mobile was a heavily travelled one with lumber and cotton regularly transported for sale.

In 1811 the first sawmills in Alabama were built in Stockton, on Rain’s Creek by lumberman Joshua Kennedy. Today a historical marker stands on the side of the road near the Rain’s Creek Bridge on Highway 225 to commemorate the event at the location where the mills once stood and prospered along with the surrounding community.

Lumber from the sawmills was used to complete the fort at Mobile Point and to make repairs at Mobile’s Fort Charlotte as well as many other vital structures. In 1831 the mills were destroyed by Creek Indians, with Kennedy and his family fleeing to Mobile. The mills were targeted because a detachment of troops had been sent to them and the facilities had been fortified in response to growing unrest among the Native American population.

Kennedy rebuilt the mills once hostilities had ended and they remained in operation until 1820 when they were destroyed again, only this time by an accidental fire. At his death in 1838 Kennedy was Alabama’s wealthiest person leaving an “estate valued in excess of $1.25 million, including roughly a quarter of all the land and developed business in the city of Mobile and more than 41,000 acres in Baldwin County and two schooners.” A civil engineer by trade, Kennedy “laid out the city of Mobile” and he planned to do the same for Stockton. His vision led to the “Town of Stockton’s” incorporation in 1839.

Stockton remains a place and people steeped in a rich history and tradition, echoed in its Centennial Park and among lovely old buildings along oak lined lanes. It is still home to the second largest river delta in the country, contributing to the life and well-being of the people who live there, many for generations. In an age of frantic progress and technological advancement, with a living river of information at our fingertips and distractions at every turn, it is heartening to note that progress can move hand in hand with an appreciation for heritage that the older waters and the people they sustained are not and will not be forgotten. They are not forgotten in Stockton.

In other Stockton news, the Stockton Civic Club is holding a Community Market Day and Yard Sale this Saturday, November 16th from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. around the walking track at the Old School Yard located at 54060 Highway 59. The event will feature homemade items, yard sale items and baked good. Booth space is available for $20 for a 10 foot space around the track. For more information call Elaine Riley at 937-6623.

Joanna Bailey is the director of the Bay Minette Public Library. She can be reached at baileyvolumes@gmail.com